In this article, you will learn about the size differences between a soccer field and a football field.
These two fields often get confused, as they are similar in many ways.
Depending on where you live, soccer is called football and played with a round soccer ball.
In North America, football is a different sport and is played with a spherical-shaped ball.
Although soccer and American football are different sports, the fields used to play on are similar in shape.
But there are some significant size differences between the two fields which you will see in this guide.
Soccer field vs football field size
Both a soccer field and football field are rectangular in shape and have either natural grass or artificial turf.
Soccer fields are larger than football fields and cover a larger area. A soccer field is between 100-130 yards in length and 50-100 yards wide. A Football field is 360 feet (120 yards) long and 160 feet (53.3 yards) wide.
A soccer field is somewhat similar in length but is wider in size compared to a football field.
Also, soccer fields can vary in size from place to place and not all fields are the same.
Soccer field vs football field size comparison table
The following table highlights the main size differences between the two fields.
| Soccer field | Football field | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 100-130 yards – Avg 120 yards | 120 yards |
| Width | 50-100 yards – Avg 75 yards | 53.3 yards |
| Area | 9000 square yards | 6396 square yards |
Soccer field size overview
As mentioned, a soccer field can vary in size. They can vary in length from a minimum of 100 yards to a maximum of 130 yards.
100 yards is equal to 300 feet and 130 yards is equal to 390 feet.
Most soccer stadiums will measure somewhere in between the minimum and maximum length at around 120 yards long.
The width of a soccer field also can vary between a minimum of 50 yards to a maximum of 100 yards which is between 150 and 300 feet wide.
Most soccer stadiums will measure around 75 feet wide.
Therefore, on average a soccer field will measure 120 yards long x 75 yards wide.
If you are looking for the surface area of a soccer field, multiply the two numbers to calculate the square area.
120 yards x 75 yards = 9000 square yards.
Soccer fields also have a goal or soccer net placed on the field at both ends.
The size of a soccer goal will vary depending on the leagues they are used in.
Kids or junior leagues use smaller goal nets than professional soccer leagues use for adults.
In a pro soccer league like MLS, the dimensions of a goal net are 24 feet long, 8 feet tall, and 10 feet wide.
Football field overview
Unlike the soccer field, a football field is fixed in size, and in professional leagues like the NFL, the dimensions are 360 feet long and 160 feet wide.
This is equal to 120 yards long and 53.3 yards wide.
If you are looking for the surface area of a football field, multiply the two numbers to calculate the square area or feet.
360 feet x 160 feet = 57,600 square feet or 120 yards x 53.3 yards = 6396 square yards.
At both ends of a football field, there is a goal post centered on each goal line.
These goalposts have a horizontal bar known as a crossbar with two vertical uprights where the football is kicked through.
The crossbar is placed 10 feet off the ground and is 18.5 feet long.
The vertical uprights are 25 feet tall and measure 35 feet from the ground to the top of the upright.
What is soccer field pitch?
You may have heard the term “pitch” with respect to a soccer field.
Pitch is simply a term used to describe the surface used to play the game of soccer.
The game can be played on a soccer or football field, also known as pitch.
Can you play soccer on a football field?
Yes, you can play soccer on a football field. Many junior and high schools will use the same field for both sports and they are interchangeable to a point.
Because soccer fields can be much wider than a football field, the fields are not interchangeable for professional leagues.
Other than size, they have different markings and other reasons why a football field can not be used for soccer.
But as mentioned, many schools will use the same field for both sports as it’s convenient and huge cost savings for the school.
Funding can be a problem for schools and having two separate fields for both sports is not cost-effective nor a priority.